LNOB Partnership Nigeria Trains 40 Akwa Ibom Youths on Climate Change Adaptation, Action
By Ekemini Simon
Leave No One Behind (LNOB) Partnership Nigeria coordinated by Action Aid Nigeria with over 20 member organizations has trained 40 youths from Akwa Ibom State on how they can adapt and take actions that will combat climate change through sustainable solutions.
The training which was held for three days in Uyo built the capacity of 40 young people from Eastern Obolo, Ini, Oron, Itu and ibeno local government areas of Akwa Ibom State on climate action and Sustainable Development Goals.
The event which was organised by the LNOB Nigeria was facilitated by Clement Isong Foundation.
According to one of the Facilitators at the event, Joseph Akaager, the training is designed to build the capacity of young people towards mitigating the threat of climate change and also debunk certain myths about climate change.
He said it was time that people understood that Climate change is not an act of God but man-made, especially caused by the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Akaager said to address the threat of climate change, collective action is needed so that the world does not exceed the climate threshold.
He said urgent steps must be taken to reduce carbon footprint by leaning towards renewable energy consumption and how best to convert energy from one source to another rather than looking to create more.
Commenting on why the LNOB Partnership is training young people, Akaager noted that since globally young people make the most of the population including Nigeria, young people have a pivotal role to play in climate action.
He added “If young people have the right understanding of these issues, they will take it back to their various communities. We are also tapping into the innovation that young people can bring to make sure carbon footprint is reduced. We also want to build communities where they are leading and fostering climate justice in their own little way.”
The facilitator said the reason various communities are selected is so that they can return and step it down and also become climate change ambassador to drive climate change initiative as that is part of the organisation’s sustainability plan.
Earlier, Elkanah Oluyori of the Clement Isong Foundation (CIF), the host organization on the partnership in Akwa Ibom State said CIF is delighted over the fact that the project is happening during the organisation’s existing relationship with ActionAid on SPA II Project’s S03.
He added “This project is important for us because it speaks uniquely to our vision to see a liveable, inclusive and sustainable society where active citizens drive thriving communities.”
Oluyori assured that CIF will work with the coalition to build active citizens especially within the marginalised communities to take climate action and also foster the realisation of sustainable development goals.
During this intensive training, participants were engaged on “Knowledge on Climate Change: Understanding the causes, impacts, and the role of youth in addressing the global climate crisis”, “Skills in Environmental Advocacy: Learning how to raise awareness, influence policies, and inspire community action”, “Hands-On Project Development: Equipping participants to design and implement local climate action projects”, and “Networking Opportunities: Building connections with like-minded peers and experienced environmental advocates.”
Meanwhile, according to the project description, the LNOB project aims at empowering and positively impacting the lives of marginalized individuals across diverse communities, ensuring enhanced social protection, climate resilience, and access to quality basic education through inclusive strategies, advocacy, and citizen-generated data contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The project also intends to engage duty bearers to meet their obligations to provide accountable, gender sensitive social protection services and governance.